Blood Orange Lemonade

I was a little shocked last week when I went into my local pharmacy and they had Easter candy and decorations out!!

Seriously!?!?

2016 is moving entirely too fast! I cannot believe that tomorrow is going to be March 1st!!

With Spring just around the corner I felt like it was time to start getting ready with some fun drinks. This is a recipe for a non-alcoholic lemonade so it is totally kid friendly but there are no rules out there that say you cannot change that with a shot or two of vodka or rum to the adults glasses.

If you choose to take that route make sure that you have the glasses well labeled. 😉  This is perfect to serve at your first outdoor BBQ this season. Or whip it up now and throw a pair of shorts turn the heat warmer and just pretend that it is warm outside. I do it all the time just the opposite direction… I crank the AC and cold as I can get it, put on a sweater and sip hot cocoa…

Here is what you will need to whip up a pitcher of Blood Orange Lemonade:

1 cup blood orange juice freshly squeezed
1/4 cup orange juice pulp free
1 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
3/4-1 cup sugar
4 cups water
Blood orange slices for garnish
Vodka or rum as needed 😉

Juice 2-3  blood oranges and to make one cup of juice. Make sure to remove all seeds.

Repeat with 3-4 lemons to make one cup of lemon juice, seeds removed as well.

Add the sugar to one cup of the water and microwave it approximately one minute to warm it up.

Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Don’t make it too hot because it will just take longer to chill the drink later. Warm it up just enough to get the sugar to dissolve. Add the remaining 3 cups of water and the sugar mixture and the juice to the pitcher.

Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to one hour. Top the pitcher off with ice before serving.

Slice up 2 more Blood Oranges and place inside of your lemonade for added flavor and garnish.